hung

Definition

1. Verb (Past Tense and Past Participle of "hang"):
   • To be suspended from above: "hung" describes the state of an object that is attached from a higher point and not supported from below.
   • To have been executed by hanging: In the past tense of "hang" (when referring to execution, the form "hanged" is standard, but "hung" is sometimes used in informal contexts).
   • To be attached or fixed: Used for items like pictures, curtains, or decorations that are placed on a wall or hook.

Usage Examples

• Suspension:

  • The painting was hung on the wall. (The painting was attached to the wall from a hook.)
  • Her coat hung by the door. (The coat was suspended from a hook near the door.)

• Execution (rare with "hung" for this meaning):

  • The criminal was hung for his crimes. (Informal; standard form is "hanged".)

• Attachment:

  • The curtains were hung to block the sunlight. (The curtains were fixed over the window.)

Advanced Usage

• "Hung up": To be preoccupied or delayed by something.

  • He is still hung up on his past relationship. (He is emotionally stuck thinking about it.)

• "To be hung over": To suffer from the after-effects of drinking alcohol.

  • She was hung over after the party. (She had a headache and felt sick.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hang (verb): The base form meaning to suspend or execute.

  • Please hang your jacket on the hook. (Suspend it.)

• Hanging (noun): An execution by suspending a person by the neck.

  • The hanging was carried out at dawn. (The execution.)

Synonyms

• Suspended: held up from above.
• Dangled: hung loosely and swaying.
• Attached: fastened or connected.

Phrasal Verbs

• Hang out: to spend time in a casual manner.

  • We like to hang out at the park. (We relax there together.)

• Hang on: to wait or hold tightly.

  • Hang on a moment, please. (Wait briefly.)

• Hang up: to end a phone call or place something on a hook.

  • She hung up the phone. (She ended the call.)

Related Idioms

• Hung out to dry: to be left to face a difficult situation alone.

  • After the scandal, he was hung out to dry by his colleagues. (He was abandoned.)

• Hung in the balance: to be in an uncertain state.

  • The outcome of the trial hung in the balance. (It was undecided.)